Resources for Parents by Topic

Parents have questions on numerous topics. The internet is filled with resources. Below is an alphabetical listing of common areas of concern with some general tips for your reference.

General Information

Helpful Parenting Information
Fun Way to Start a Family Chat at Dinner

ADHD/Focusing

ADHD Parenting Tips
4 Ways to Help your Child Focus
There are many ways parents can help a child exhibiting symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder such as:

Providing consistency by following predictable routines for getting ready for school, homework, play, bedtime, etc.
Model and practice appropriate organizational skills and help your child maintain their organizational systems
Help your child use large monthly calendars for planning after-school activities and when tests and assignments occur
Use timers as a visual reminder for your child when they need to complete a task
Give specific, concise directions to your child in positive ways (phrase directions as what do you want to happen rather than what you don’t want to happen)
Help practice problem solving skills with your child
Give your child a chance to practice using appropriate social skills
Help your child make healthy food choices
Use encouragement and positive reinforcement

Anger Management

All About Anger for Kids
Learning to manage anger is an important life skill that needs to be taught to and practiced. Discussing and modeling appropriate ways you as parents handle anger is a great way to help kids managing their own anger. There are many ways you can practice managing anger with your child, including :

Take a break (moving away from what makes you angry)
Do a physical activity (shoot hoops, do jumping jacks, or run the track)
Take deep breaths
Count to 10
Squish Play-Doh
Color your feelings
Write your feelings in a journal entry, story, or poem
Read a quiet book to yourself (When Sophie Gets Angryis a good one!)
Positive self-talk (I can control my anger…)

Anxiety

Tips for Parents and Caregivers of Anxious Children
It is normal for every person to have some amount of anxiety from time to time, but when anxiety begins affecting your child’s school and home functioning, there are many things you can do to help your child in addition to possibly consulting a mental health professional.

Listen to your child’s worries and fears and remind them that they are not alone and that other kids have worries too
Help children address their concerns and if they are not realistic, help them see the truth
Help your child gradually ease into new situations that may cause anxiety and provide encouragement when they are in these situations
Practice relaxing including deep breathing, counting to 10, visualizations (taking a pretend field trip to the relaxing beach or a peaceful meadow), and listening to calming music
Encourage structured play dates or extracurricular activities if your child has an anxious temperament
Promote your child’s independence and build on their strengths

Divorce/Separation

Resource for Children and Families Going Through Divorce/Separation

Because lots of things will be changing in your child’s life, try to keep things as consistent as possible for your child; routines = stability = safety
Listen to your child’s feelings and make sure they know it’s okay to share their feelings
Refrain from speaking negatively about the other parent in front of your child
Allow kids to only have to worry about “kid worries”
When kids ask questions, tell the truth in age appropriate ways
Make sure your child is not the “middle man”
Remind your child that he or she is very loved and never has to choose one parent over the other

Dyslexia/Dysgraphia

Resource for Handwriting without Tear program through Scott and White Baylor

Consistency, firmness, forgiving attitude and school communication are solid attributes for guiding your dyslexic child down the path of success.

Communicate with your child’s teacher any concerns that you have and successes with what works well for your child.
Be loving and patient with your child. Remember having dyslexia is frustrating. All children need patience and love above all.
Be firm with the consistency. Repetition is your child’s friend disguised as the enemy. But you must also know when it’s time to take a break.
Don’t forget that life should be fun! Some days will be exhausting and frustrating. Use that those times to take a break and try to do something fun.

Grief and Loss

Resource for parents for helping children cope with grief and loss

Losing a loved one can be extremely hard for individuals of any age. Below are a few ways you as parents can support your children through this difficult time

Understand that children cope with death differently and may have a range of reactions (including emotional shock, regression, acting out and explosive emotions, and questioning) depending on their developmental level
Answer your child’s questions and help them understand what happened with truthful, developmentally appropriate responses
Allow children to grieve and tell their story, listen and validate their feelings, and show extra love and care
Understand that grief is a process and allow it to happen as the child needs
Realize that as children move into new developmental stages, they begin to understand the loss in a new way and may need extra support
Be aware of your own need to grieve as a parent; adults who get help working through their grief are much more able to help their child through the grieving process

Homework Hints

Homework Tips for Families
To help ensure your child finds success with homework, there are many things you can do to help! In addition to modeling getting your own work done in a timely fashion and modeling organization, you can help children in many other ways such as

Allow your child to re-energize themselves after school by taking a break, having a snack, or playing a game before beginning homework
Create a routine for homework each night using the same time and place each day
Encourage children to use planners to stay organized with assignments
Have a set place for homework like a big desk with all necessary materials available such as pencils, paper, books, and calculators; make sure the area is free of distractions
Sometimes a break may help with concentration during homework time

Internet Safety/Cyber-bullying

Information on internet safety and cyber-bullying

Information on media use for children

There are many ways you can help keep your child safe when using the internet, including

Discuss internet safety with your child
Monitor your child’s internet activity by making sure they use a computer that is in a common area such as a family room rather than a child’s bedroom
Remind your child to never share personal information (name, address, phone number, school, etc.) with anyone on the internet and never to agree to meet anyone on the internet
Do not allow your child to enter private chat rooms

Making Friends

Article about Helping Your Child Make Friends
Every parent wants their child to have friends, and if this is an area your child needs help with, there are many things you can do to help, including:

Give your child many chances for socialization, including joining an after school club or an extra-curricular activity
Schedule play dates with friends from the neighborhood or friends from school
Role play meeting a new child with your child, greeting each other in a friendly way and making conversation
Practice partaking in conversation with your child and other social skills
Model for your child how to be a good friend and make a friend

Self-Esteem

Ways to Help Develop Your Child’s Self-Esteem

Every parent wants a happy, healthy child with a strong sense of self-esteem and self-confidence. Here are some ways parents can support and grow their child’s self-esteem:

Choose your words carefully and make sure to provide encouragement for your child
Model positive self-esteem and positive self-talk
Create a positive home environment where students feel safe and loved
Allow your child to become involved in cooperative activities such as volunteering for the good of others in order to feel good about themselves
Help your child give others compliments and make others feel good in order to trigger positive feelings among themselves

Stress Management

Coping Skills for Kids Site
There are many ways you can help your child cope with stressful situations. Below are some strategies that you can help your child with.

Practice visualizations (take a pretend field trip to a relaxing or peaceful place)
Listen to calming music
Get lots of rest
Eat healthy foods
Drink plenty of water
Use positive self-talk (I can…)
Think positive thoughts
Focus on something good that happened that day

Substance Abuse

S ubstance Abuse Guide for Parents
A healthy parent-child relationship one of the most powerful prevention to substance abuse. There are many other things parents can do, including:

Get to know your child’s friends
Model good behavior
Create a positive environment
Talk with your children early about your stance on drug and alcohol use
Discuss peer pressure situations and ways your child can recognize and handle it
Establish clear rules and expectations surrounding substance use
Monitor their activities- in person and online

Additional Topics and Resources:

Autism Slideshow

Building Resiliency in Your Child

Creative Consequences

Dealing with Feelings

Helping Your Child with Test Taking